54 replies to this topic

[kuhio98]

This topic was copied and pasted from our old community on 7/14/06

laurieadrienne
Local user
Posts: 820
(7/8/06 10:33 am)
Reply  My CRF Kitty "Kitz"
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Hi everyone, I have a few questions and I just know this is the place to get answers!

Last September my hubby and I adopted a 15-year-old rescue kitty named Kitz. Kitz had a very hard life before coming to live with us. He was poorly socialized and was probably abused. He had been surrendered to his vet for euthanization because his people just didn't want him anymore. Fortunately, the vet tech on duty at the time of his surrender rescued him and fostered him until he was able to find us.

When we adopted him, we knew he was in early stages of renal failure. We've monitored this and maintained his slightly elevated kidney enzymes with special kidney diet foods.

Now, however, the renal failure is progressing and he must receive sub-q fluids three times a week.

We have been working hard with him over the past 8 months to gain his trust and socialize him. It was a tough road at first (I got chomped on pretty good a few times!) but now, thank goodness, he loves and trusts us, so administering the fluids is not a problem. He is very good and patient, and so far has been very cooperative about receiving the fluids.

But, because I'm a newbie at this, I have questions.

The fluid he's been prescribed is "Lactated Ringer's." I'm sort of assuming this is a standard for CRF kitties???

I'm wondering if there's a place anyone knows of to buy this online at a discounted price. Kitz is in very good health besides the CRF, so even though he's 16 now, I expect him to be with us for a long time yet. It would be nice if I could order the fluids maybe several bags at a time to save some $$$.

Also, a question re: needles. The vet gave us Monoject needles, but I saw on CRF kitty Wally Badolato's thread that someone posted about using Terumo needles, which are sharper. Can someone tell me how I go about finding needles besides the ones I can get from my vet? I have no idea even where I'd look in the Yellow Pages. This is new territory for me!

I'd of course like to do everything I can do minimize any pain or discomfort that Kitz might experience from receiving the fluids, so any general advice or suggestions would also be extremely appreciated.

Here are a few pix of Kitz. He has turned into such a lovey purry boy. My hubby and I love him so much! We feel so fortunate that he's joined our family.

Laurie




Kim  
Local user
Posts: 6191
(7/8/06 12:54 pm)
Reply  Re: My CRF Kitty "Kitz"
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Laurie -- You guys have hearts bigger than the great outdoors.... but then we already knew that.  

Knowing Juli is a useful thing. She's not only a pretty good adopter  , but she can tell you where to get stuff for cheap! Here's the link for Brico Medical Supplies: www.bricomedicalsupplies.com/CRFpage.html You can order a box of fluids (12 bags of Lactated Ringers) for $23 plus shipping. They also carry the Terumo needles. You need a prescription from your vet -- when I asked my vet about a script for Teddie, she said she'd honor the Brico prices and I got the supplies from her.

Blinks to Mr. Kitz!  

Linda IMOM  
Committee Volunteer
Posts: 3308
(7/8/06 4:44 pm)
  Re: My CRF Kitty "Kitz"
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Laurie - Kitz is very handsome! Looks like he as all the best immedities - I see a treadmilll (with a copy of Cat Fancy?) and a bike as well as a very large massage table with a view!

Looks like he's VERY happy with you and no, he doesn't look like a senior, for all he's been through, he looks terrific.
Collie Hugs - Linda IMOM


laurieadrienne
Local user
Posts: 822
(7/8/06 6:25 pm)
Reply  Re: My CRF Kitty "Kitz"
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Kim, thank you so much for sharing the info about Brico. I will contact my vet on Monday and ask for a script. Muchas, muchas gracias.

Linda, you are so right about Kitz's "private lounge and spa." I love the first photo of him on the table -- er, I mean massage table -- because his look is totally, "This is my table. Ya got a problem with that?" In the second photo he was being goofy and lovey. Major elevator butt because he was receiving excellent skritchies.

Laurie

Juli IMOM  
Board of Directors
Posts: 2426
(7/8/06 6:32 pm)
Reply  Kitz
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Hi Laurie,

What a very handsome and lucky boy Kitz is. I see he gets to lay on the table just like the spoiled rotten Beatty cats.

Kim beat me to it. I was going to tell you to order from Brico Medical Supplies. IMOM orders fluids for the CRF PINs from Brico. I also got my IV lines and needles from Brico for my CRF kitty Button. I was lucky to get the fluids, aka lactated ringers from a friend who works for a medical supply company. Brico carries the Terumo needles which I loved.

As for administration, my best advice is to find a nice place where you can hang the bag up high and Kitz can sit comfortably. We used to give Button's her fluids on a little cat perch which overlooked our backyard. The outdoor animals kept her entertained. Sometimes we used treats to distract her too while she was getting fluids.

Sending kisses for Kitz.

Juli

k9sign  
Registered User
Posts: 2954
(7/8/06 10:15 pm)
Reply  Re: Kitz
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Hi Laurie,
I don't have any advice--I have given lots of SQ fluids to puppers, but not kitties. But, I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU and BLESS YOU--for adopting a very senior kitty and one with known kidneys issues to boot.
U are a special person and Kitz is such a lucky little fella--and by the looks of him, u are lucky too--but then u know that!!!!!
Good luck--sounds like u are doing great.
Hugs to Kitz!


Kim  
Local user
Posts: 6192
(7/9/06 9:02 pm)
Reply  Re: Kitz
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Laurie, I love the look on his face too. Like he'd be whipping out his AARP card and demanding his Senior Citizen Discount with the Early Bird Special.  Go Kitz!!

[Laurie IMOM]

So we placed an order for Terumo needles and they should be here early next week. I'm happy because I can tell Kitz isn't too thrilled when I use the Monoject needles that the vet gave us. He is so sweet and patient, though, when he's getting the fluids. It's getting less and less scary each time I have to stick him.

Thanks again to everyone for all of your advice, suggestions, and recommendations. Kitz and I sincerely appreciate it.

Laurie

[Kim]

Hey Laurie, we need a Kitz update!  How is your boy doing?

[Laurie IMOM]

Thanks for checking in, Auntie Kim!

Kitz is doing great. He is responding incredibly well to the fluids. His appetite has increased dramatically (oink oink!) and he's not vomiting at all. His energy has really picked up too, and he's charging around the house like he's a kitten instead of a 16-year-old gentleman kitty. In fact, one of my current frequently-used nicknames for him is "Sassy."

Every time I have to give him fluids, I say a grateful thank you to those of you who recommended Terumo needles. They just slip in "like buttah" and I don't think he really even notices much.

Laurie

Edited by LaurieAdrienne, 11 August 2006 - 11:29 PM.

[Kim]

What a good report!!  We love those sassy old farts.  Kitz is the Sean Connery of the cat world.  

like buttah

    LOL -- Brooklyn by way of California

[Laurie IMOM]

Kitz is the Sean Connery of the cat world.

... except he has a LOT more hair on his head!  

Uh oh, don't get me going again, or I'll be posting pictures of Sean Connery with Kitz sitting on his head (similar to those I posted of Callie Ripkin perched atop Cal Ripken Jr's head).

Laurie

[Kim]

... except he has a LOT more hair on his head!  

Uh oh, don't get me going again, or I'll be posting pictures of Sean Connery with Kitz sitting on his head (similar to those I posted of Callie Ripkin perched atop Cal Ripken Jr's head).

Laurie

ROFL!!!  The kilt -- don't forget the kilt!  

[Laurie IMOM]

I just couldn't resist....  

[Laurie IMOM]

Keep up the good work.  LOL

It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!  

[Kim]

I just couldn't resist....  

OMG, OMG, OMG........ bladder emptied!!!!!

"Why Sean laddie, you seem to have a wee furpiece atop yer head..."  LOL

[Laurie IMOM]

... when you said 'FURpiece,' you weren't kidding! Hahahaa!!!

[Laurie IMOM]

I took Kitz in on Monday for his 3-month checkup and renal panel. The good news is, things are looking up!

His BUN is down to 34 -- it was 46 in July. Since normal is in the 36 range, this is great.

His creatinine is still high at 3.2 -- but it's down from 3.5 in July. So again, I feel good about this number, even though normal would be less than 2.5. I hope this "downward trend" will continue.

Kitz's vet was very happy to see these numbers. Me too -- I love this sassy (and slightly grumpy) old dude.

Here's a photo of Kitz from this morning, sacked out on mom's comfy (and fur-covered, haha) sweat pants.

[carol]

Cheers for good numbers for Kitz the senior guy.  If you were that age, you'd just want to relax on mommy's leg too -- how comfortable is that!

[Kim]

Oh Laurie, what a great photo.  Talk about not a care in the world ......



You've given this old curmudgeon a lot more than just better kidney values.

Rocco says, Cheers to another coot cat!

[Lynette]

Hi Laurie,

I just got a chance to read about Kitz.  He is a lovely boy and he reminds me so much of my Maxwell Silver Hammer who went to the Bridge in 2002.  I miss Maxie alot and this gave me an opportunity to relive some of my memories.

Thanks,

Lynette

[Lynette]

Hi Laurie,

I just got a chance to read about Kitz.  He is a lovely boy and he reminds me so much of my Maxwell Silver Hammer who went to the Bridge in 2002.  I miss Maxie alot and this gave me an opportunity to relive some of my memories.

Thanks,

Lynette

[Laurie IMOM]

Hi Lynette, thank you for stopping by and saying hi. I love Maxwell's full name! I'm sure you miss your baby, and I'm glad Kitz was able to help you travel memory lane a bit -- I'm sure you have lots of happy, happy memories of your boy.

[Laurie IMOM]

Dear wonderful kitty aunties, I wanted to let you know that our sweet and beloved Kitz crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. Larry and I gave him the ultimate gift of love by helping him on his way.

Yesterday Kitz apparently suffered a stroke. He was fine in the morning and then I found him in the afternoon unable to get up. There is so much I could tell you about our last two days together, but I think the most important things are that he did not suffer a long and slow decline from illness, and that we shared SO much love the last two days in spite of his physical condition. I do not believe he was in pain (in fact I am confident of it). But it became very apparent overnight that this was not something he was going to recover from, and there is no way that Larry and I would ask him to stay with us when he was unable to use his legs and "be a cat."

It was so sad and hard to say goodbye to him today, but Larry and I both know that we made the right decision for Kitz.

Super Lovey, my sweet Foamy Love, Lovey Lovesicle, we love you so much and we will always miss you. You brought so much happiness and laughter into our lives. Every moment with you was time that we treasured. You made me a better kitty mom in so many ways. You will always be in our hearts.

Here is the last photo I took of our sweet boy.

[Rottendogs]

Run fast Sweet Kitz, and know that you are loved and missed by many. I'm so sorry, Laurie.
Celia

[SydsMom]

Awww Laurie I am so sorry for your loss. It seems like you did a lot for him and I'm sure he knows how loved he was !!
  God speed little guy.

[vickyimom]

Laurie, I am so very very sorry :((
Godspeed sweet Kitz, watch over Mama and Papa until you see them again on the other side.....
big hugs from the zoo....
Vicky

[Kim]

Handsome Kitz, you waited a very long time to be really loved and appreciated, but I bet the last 2+ yrs made up for that.  You left with so much love and you will meet even more love where you're going.  

[Tracy IMOM]

Laurie. I am so sorry sweet Kitz had to leave for the Rainbow Bridge.    He was, and always will be, very much loved. Run free, Kitz, and watch over your mom and dad until you meet again. You and Larry are in my thoughts.



Tracy and Cody    

[Cindy/IMOM]

Laurie,

I am so thankful that Kitz finally got the home he surely deserved and knew what it was like to be loved.  Not many people would have adopted an unsocialized, older, ill cat but you saw past all that, clear into his soul.  I know your heart is broken.     I'm sure our bridgekids met him at the gate and will keep him busy till you see him  again.

Godspeed, sweet boy.  I bet very few kitties have been so loved.



Cindy/IMOM

[Laura IMOM]

Oh Laurie, I am so sorry to see this.  My your love light his path tonight, I will light a candle in his honor.  Fly free sweet boy.

Many hugs from the bratz and I......

Laura

[k9sign]

Oh, Laurie, I am so very very sorry. My heart just breaks for u and Larry.
I am so glad u got 2 days of loads of extra loving in--but even if u hadn't, Kitz knew how much he was loved. Your few years with Kitz made him forget any thing bad in his life.
His life really started when u both adopted him--and what a grand life it was.

The brightest star in the sky tonight will be Kitz.
Be open, and he will let u both know he is watching over u.

Sadly and with love,